This new year, try to be optimistic about future – Orange County Register

We’re professional critics on this page. A large part of our job is to find fault, to point out what’s wrong, to reveal follies and foibles. Consequently, we may appear cynical. If so, our apologies. We intend to be skeptical. There’s a world of difference.

But at this time of year permit us not to dwell on the negative. There’s plenty of time for that in the next 12 months. Instead, please indulge us today to express a little optimism for the coming year, which offers grand opportunities for improvement, along with the customary snares for disaster.

California has many faults, but it’s also a great state, as evidenced by the tens of millions who still choose it as home rather than elsewhere. Those of you reading these words are here for a reason. We must not give up hope that we can correct the errors of politicians. We must not lose sight, as well, of all the great things about California. From our geographical diversity to our cultural diversity, this is a state worth fighting for.

We carp a lot about elected leaders’ unwillingness to do the right thing, but as we enter 2025 let us hold out hope they just may. It’s always possible that runaway spending will be curtailed in Sacramento. It’s within the realm of possibility that Washington lawmakers will scale back the federal government’s reach. When we last checked, every lawmaker still was permitted to vote either “yes” or “no” when bills come up for consideration.

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As a nation, we are in for interesting political times. There will be much to agree with and disagree with, much to discuss and debate. But it’s Jan. 1, so we choose instead to hope that the incoming administration drops the divisive rhetoric and governs responsibly.

We’re partial to Winston Churchill’s observation: “A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.”

None of us can say for certain what is ahead, for ourselves, for our communities, for the nation, for the world. But we should choose to be optimistic and work toward a better and brighter future.

All things considered, this could very well be a happy new year.

A version of this editorial was first published in the Orange County Register in 2008.